Bunnings to shed jobs in the state's north east

The Bunnings hardware chain is closing a frame and truss plant in Victoria's north east resulting in the loss of 47 jobs.

Bunnings chief executive, John Gillam, says the slump in the building industry is behind the closure.

Some staff are being offered positions at a similar plant at Hallam, or the company's hardware stores at Shepparton, Wangaratta and Albury-Wodonga.

Mr Gillam says efforts to find a buyer for the Benalla plant have failed.

"It is probably indicative of the pressure that this part of the construction sector of Victoria is under," he said.

"We haven't closed the door completely maybe the publicity from this news might bring someone else to the fore who's prepared to have a go at running a frame and truss operation."

Benalla's Mayor Barb Alexander says the closure is the latest blow for the town, which has experienced cuts to public service jobs.

She says the Council will help the workers in anyway it can.

"What's available to help them through the initial stages we get Centrelink out there and we have job placement agencies go and talk with them about other positions that may be available in Benalla and the district."